Decision time

[Joe_W]

Good luck with your new bike! I bought a road bike (Cyclomanix R2.2, small German company) last year since I use it for triathlon and I wanted to have the road position for racing (only bike = no sense in buying a TT bike). For commuting I'd probably rather get a cyclocross e.g. by Stevens or Ridley or whoever: Wider tyres are more comfy + studded tyres are only available 35mm and up (winter riding, yeah!) or get a decent commuter (fender eyelets) with a road-like geometry... (you see I am thinking about getting another one, alas: no funds + no room to store another bike)

Have fun with testing and comparing! If you buy at a local shop the bike might be more expensive than buying online, but most shops will give you good deals on stuff like shoes, lights, pumps... they can also swap the saddle if it doesn't fit. I tried three different saddles when I bought my bike and changed the stem after half a year for a (.5 cm) longer version (again: no cost). A good shop will also fit the bike to you and your needs.

See you on the road! (well, it _might_ happen, only about 8000km distance...)